Description: On July 2, 1863, Brig. Gen. Morgan, with about 2,450 hand-picked
cavalrymen, rode into Kentucky to disrupt the communications of the Union
Army of the Cumberland, which began its operations against Braggís Army
of Tennessee (Tullahoma Campaign) on June 23. Crossing the Cumberland River
at Burkesville, Morganís column advanced to the Green River where it was
deflected by a Union regiment at Tebbís Bend on July 4. Morgan surprised
and captured the garrison at Lebanon, Kentucky, then rode via Springfield,
Bardstown, and Garnettsville. On July 8, Morgan crossed the Ohio River
at Mauckport, Indiana, despite orders to remain south of the river in Kentucky.
Union military officials called out the militia in Indiana and Ohio and
worked feverishly to organize a defense. On July 9, near Corydon, Indiana,
elements of Morganís force encountered about 400 Home Guards and captured
most of them. As Morgan continued eastward to Ohio, destroying bridges,
railroads, and government stores, Federal columns converged to prevent
Morgan from recrossing into Kentucky.